Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.